“I didn’t say that.”
“Then what?”
“I can’t have kids, Ross. I won’t take the chance of leaving motherless children behind. I’ve been there.”
“Aren’t you getting a bit ahead of things?” He chuckled, trying to lighten her mood. “I’m just talking about dinner.”
Her cheeks tinged pink and she pulled away, turned her back on him. “But dinner—and feelings—can lead to marriage, and you want kids, so how can there be a future for us? I mean, if I only risk one pregnancy and I don’t have twins, maybe I could survive, but I can’t chance it. I won’t be responsible for leaving motherless—”
“Stop.” He gently gripped her shoulders, turned her to face him, and pressed a finger against her lips. “I’d never ask you to do that. Never. You’re too important to me. But it sounds like you do have feelings for me?” He held his breath.
Her almost imperceptible nod sent his heart into overdrive.
“I do want kids,” he admitted, weighing his words carefully. “I love the twins. And they’re not mine. If it works out between us—and I’m praying it does—there are a lot of children in the world looking for good homes. I’m pretty sure we could provide one filled with love.”
“Adoption? You’d be okay with that?”
“More than okay.”
She swiped her eyes. “I’m a mess.”
“You’re beautiful.” He cupped her face in his hands. “So how about that dinner?”
Tears rimmed her lashes as she met his gaze. “I’d like that.”
He lowered his lips to hers.
“Wait.”
“Wait?”
“I need to wash my face before you kiss me.”
“I’ve wanted to kiss you for weeks and I’m not waiting a second longer.”
Her breath caught as their lips met.
Soft and yielding. Sweet and addictive. Trusting. The last woman he’d ever kiss.
EPILOGUE
“I do.” Stacia smiled up at Ross.
“By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
“You’re my wife now. Forever,” Ross whispered as he drew her into his arms. Gentle as if she were a rare treasure.
Her breath stilled as her hands slid up his shoulders. His toe-curling kiss made her heart giddy. Every time. Even after a year of dating.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I present Mr. and Mrs. Ross Lyles.”
The crowd applauded as the piano started up. Mason and Madison walked the aisle toward the back of the church, followed by Larae and Lexie, then Ross’s best friend from high school and Sam.
Ross escorted her to the fellowship hall to form a line so guests could congratulate them.
“I don’t know about you,” he whispered close to her ear, sending a shiver over her, “but I’d like to get out of the penguin suit and split.”
“Stop. Everybody here loves us and wants to share in our happiness.”
“I know. And I appreciate them. But couldn’t we have done all this before the ceremony?”
Denny and Stella made it to them first.
“Child, I sure wish your mama could see you.” Stella adjusted the train of Mom’s dress.
“Me too.” Stacia’s gaze went misty.
“You’re the spitting image of her.” Stella winked.
“Thanks. And thank you for being a wonderful stand-in mom all these years.”
“My pleasure.” Stella hugged her.
“That goes for me too.” Lexie joined in their hug and dragged Larae in too. “And thank you, Larae, for sharing your mom with us.”
Larae fanned her face with one hand. “Y’all stop. We’re all gonna be blubbering and have to repair our makeup before pictures.”
“Pictures.” Ross groaned.
“Might as well settle in.” Clint, Lexie’s newlywed husband, grinned. “This will be the longest day of your life.”
It had been fun to see the friendship develop between Ross and her two best friends’ husbands over the last year.
“I just want to ride off into the sunset with my bride.” He drew her against his side, then stiffened. “Ron, what are you doing here?”
Stacia’s gaze jerked to her husband, then to his brother, standing in front of them, then to the twins. They were oblivious, putting up with hugs from other well-wishers.
“I came to give you a wedding gift,” Ron said.
With his career in high gear, Ron had remained clean and sober since his accident. Minus his goth makeup, blue hair, and with him looking healthy, no one would recognize him.
“This should be enough to put a down payment on a house.” He held up a check.
Stacia’s eyes widened at all the zeroes. “I’m not sure we’d feel right about accepting it.”
“Please, let me do this for my big brother,” Ron whispered. “I owe you a lot more than that. And I figure you can use some of it for legal fees to formally adopt the twins.”
Stacia gasped as tears threatened. “That’s the best gift you could ever give me.”
“They deserve a real family. And a house.” Ron folded the check in half and tucked it in Ross’s tux pocket, then hugged him.
“You saw Mom and Dad?”
“Yes. And if it’s okay with y’all, I might start coming around more often. Maybe for Christmas.”
“That sounds wonderful.” Ross caught her gaze. “As long as you’re okay with it?”
“Of course.”
“What do we tell those two?” Ron nodded toward Mason and Madison.
“We’ll figure something out.” Stacia hugged him. “Thank you, Ron.”
“Thank you for taking such good care of them.” It was there, the glint in his eyes. He knew he was missing out. But it didn’t frighten her anymore. “I’m honored to get to.”
“See y’all soon.” Ron turned toward the exit.
“Did that really just happen? The biggest fear in my life just turned out to be harmless.”
“God fixed everything.” He pulled her into his arms. “Can we get out of here yet?”
“That would be rude.”
He kissed her into silence.
“Ewww!” Mason cringed.
“Break it up, you two.” Madison giggled.
“Y’all better get used to it.” Ross chuckled. “I plan to kiss my wife a lot.”
“You better.” Her heart was full. The twins were hers. And so was their uncle. Their happily-ever-after was better than anything she’d ever dreamed of.
* * * * *
Dear Reader,
Inspired by Flea Market Flip and Salvage Dawgs, my husband and I rented a booth. We enjoyed repurposing furniture and crafting junk
